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J. HOSPITALIER. i

Boot.

No} 243,135. Patented June 21,1881.

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a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS M. HOSPITALIER, OF PARSONS, KANSAS.

BOOT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,135, dated June 21, 1881.

Application filed May 3, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUS MARIE HOSPITA- LIER, a resident of Parsons, county of Labette, and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boots; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, andto the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

This invention relates to boots adapted to fit closely upon the ankle and leg of the wearer.

It consists in forming the back and front pieces of the boot-leg so that the front piece shall overlap the back piece of the leg, instead of being stitched together to form the ordinary side seams, the seams being left open from near the top to their intersection with the vamp, and the opening closed by means of transverse elastic strips, which serve to bind down and confine the edge of the outer flap with an elastic hold.

It consists,likewise, in curving the lower end of the open overlapping side seams formed between the back and front pieces toward the front, so as to intersect the vamp in front of its juncture with the quarter.

My improved boots are especially adapted for ladies and childrens winter wear, as they combine all the advantages of a neat-fitting gaiter with the warmth and comfort derived from an ordinary boot, and afford, also, support to the ankles, with perfect freedom of motion.

The figure of the drawing illustrates the construction of my improved close-fitting boot.

A is the vamp, B the quarter, and O the sole, of the boot. These parts may be formed and fitted together in any desirable manner.

D is the front, and E the back, part of the leg of the boot. These parts, instead of being stitched together and united by close side seams as is customary, are so cut as when brought together the front part, D, will overlap the back part, E, on each side of the leg, commencing at the union of the leg with the "amp and continuing to a point, f, at their intersection with the transverse finishing top-piece of the boot, the widest portion of the overlap being nearly midway the length of the leg. These overlapping parts are left open from their union with.

the vamp to the point f of intersection with the top-finishing piece of the boot, which unites them and closes the top of the leg.

The dotted line 9 in the drawing indicates the inner edge of the back part covered by the overlapping edge h of the front part. The overlap is of such width as that the two parts will not be entirely separated, even when drawn apart to the utmost, to permit an easy passage of the foot down through the boot-leg, and the two parts D and E are so out and fitted together, as illustrated in the drawing, as that the open seam between them shall follow a curved line from the point f to a point, i, on the vamp just under or back of the instep, instead of following a straight line to the quarter B, as is ordinarily found in the leg-seam of boots.

The overlapping part D is confined and the opening in the seam kept closed sufficiently to protect the leg of the wearer against cold and wet by means of transverse elastic strips KK K, which are secured at one end to the front part of the boot-leg on a line, m m, in front of the inner edge of the back part, E, and, passing through slits in the front piece, D, near its edge and over the overlapping edge, are led through slits in the back piece in front of said edge, and are secured toits under side, as shown by dotted lines at n in the drawing. This arrangement of the elastios permits the use of long strips, so that there is no excessive strain thereon, and at the same time protects them from wear and from being caught by the foot when the boot is drawn on.

Instead of leading the elastic through slits in the edge of the overlapping piece, the piece may be secured thereto by stitching, and the elastic thus remain wholly concealed and fully protected between the two pieces, and be thereby free from wear.

By curving the seam forward toward the instep the foot is permitted to slide down into the foot of the boot with perfect ease and without engaging or interfering with the seam.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with the back piece, E, in a boot-leg, and with an upper transverse connecting-piece completing and closing the top of the leg, of a front piece, D, overlapping the back piece, united thereto at top and bottom,

and confined thereto along its outer edges by lower end to intersect the vamp A at a point, independent transverse elastic strips which 2 in front of the juncture of the vamp with the permit a free expansion or contraction of thequarter of the boot, substantially in the man- 15 boot-leg midway of its length without uucovner and for the purpose herein set forth.

5 cring the overlapping joints, substantially as In testimony whereot'I have signed myname and for the purpose herein set forth. to this specification in the presence of two sub- 2. A boot-leg having its front piece, D, overscribing witnesses. lapping its rear piece, E, to form thereby open JULIUS MARIE HOSPITALIER flaps on each side, with edges secured together 10 at a point, f, over the heel, at or near the top Witnesses:

of the leg, and which, dropping thence first in B. B. MIEssE, a straight course, finally curve forward at the l N. F. KOHLER. 

